iCaur V23 Retro-Boxy EV SUV Set to Shake Up Nepal’s Market Under Rs. 47 Lakh

After its initial confirmation earlier this year, Chery Nepal has officially showcased the all-new iCaur V23 for the Nepali market. The V23 remains one of the most anticipated electric off-roaders in the country, drawing attention for its premium, boxy styling paired with a far more accessible price point.

SPG Automobiles, the authorized distributor for Jaecoo, Omoda, and Chery in Nepal, has unveiled the highly anticipated iCaur V23 during a media preview event in Kathmandu. The V23 was originally confirmed for launch back in March 2025, alongside the Jaecoo J5, with plans to debut both models at the NIAMA Mobility Expo.

However, the massive flood that destroyed the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge at the Rasuwagadhi border delayed the showcase. Now, with its arrival in Nepal, the spotlight is firmly on the iCaur V23. While the official launch date is still under discussion, key details regarding its specifications, features, and estimated pricing have already been revealed.

iCar is Chery’s youth-focused electric sub-brand, and by extension, a sibling to Omoda and Jaecoo. Initially, the V23 was expected to launch under the Jaecoo nameplate, following the same rebadging strategy seen with the Jaecoo J6, which debuted in Thailand as a rebranded iCar 03.

Interestingly, the SUV is being introduced in Nepal with its original identity intact but with a slight change. In China, it is sold as the iCar V23, but in international markets the name has been slightly altered to iCaur V23 to avoid trademark conflicts with Apple, which owns the rights to the “iCar” trademark outside China.

Despite initial challenges, the iCar V23 has received critical acclaim for its unique blend of retro elements and modern technology, which led to 31,000 units being pre-ordered within just 8 hours in China.

Instead of opting for a full-blown AWD performance setup, the iCar V23 RWD is positioned to deliver stronger value for money. It pairs a respectable motor size with a higher-capacity battery and bold, boxy styling, all while staying within a competitive price bracket. With pricing expected to come in under Rs. 47 lakh, the V23 could secure a clear edge in an increasingly crowded segment.

With this strategy, Chery is positioning the iCaur V23 as a unique electric off-roader that blends rugged design with accessible pricing. The question now is whether it can carve out its share of the market in this increasingly competitive segment. Let’s take a closer look at what the iCaur V23 brings to the table.

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iCaur V23 Overview

Exterior

The iCAR V23 makes an impact with its retro-boxy silhouette, a design inspired by the classic BAW BJ212. Although rooted in BAW’s heritage, the V23’s styling also nods to off-road icons like the Suzuki Jimny and Toyota Land Cruiser, but with a futuristic EV twist. It blends sharp edges with rounded corners that create a bold yet approachable road presence.

The face is clean but distinctive. Circular LED headlamps are integrated into a wide, rounded black strip, paired with slim horizontal DRLs neatly tucked within the protruding housings. A flat bonnet with subtle character lines adds to the rugged stance, though it hides a practical compromise: the bonnet does not open, so there’s no frunk. Instead, only a washer-fluid refill port is accessible up front. Other than that, the lower bumper gets a unique combination of upper half in body color, while the lower half is blacked out for a dual-tone effect. 

The side profile further emphasizes its muscular shoulders. The extended wheel arches frame the sporty 19-inch alloy wheels. Flush door handles and a color-matched roof and pillars enhance the boxy styling, reinforcing its SUV DNA. A single horizontal crease runs from bonnet to tail, while an unusual body-colored panel fills the space between the C and D pillars, giving the profile a unique yet noticeable twist.

At the back, the V23 continues its standout look with a large rectangular windshield attached to a rear-mounted “backpack” box. This doubles as both functional extra cargo space on the inside and a design statement, even incorporating the brake light. Slim horizontal LED tail lamps complete the minimal but futuristic aesthetic, while the body-colored bumper adds a skid-plate-style finish for extra ruggedness. Additionally, the iCaur V23 will be offered in six color choices: Orange, Black, Gray, Green, Silver, and White.

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Interior

The iCAR V23’s cabin features a squared-off dashboard and blocky design cues that reflect its off-road-inspired personality. The use of soft-touch materials and subtle chrome accents adds a layer of premium appeal.

At the center sits a massive 15.4-inch touchscreen, serving both as the instrument cluster and infotainment hub. It replaces most physical buttons for a clean, futuristic look, but iCaur has wisely retained a set of chrome-finished physical knobs and switches below the AC vents for quick, tactile control.

The front seats are well-bolstered, designed for comfort during long drives, while the rear introduces a notable change from expectations. Instead of a standard three-seat bench, the V23 comes with a two-seat rear layout with proper headrests. Technically, it can seat three, but the middle passenger will find it less comfortable.

Buyers can choose between two interior color schemes: Black or White. Overall, the V23 blends practical ruggedness with lifestyle-focused refinement, positioning itself as a stylish upgrade over the more commuter-driven cabins often found in this segment.

Performance

iCar V23 is powered by a 100kW RWD single-motor, which produces a max power of 136PS and a max torque of 180Nm, capable of accelerating from 0 to 50 km/h in 4.8 seconds!

It houses a 59.93 kWh CATL battery pack, delivering a CLTC-rated range of 401 km with an average consumption of 16.8 kWh/100 km. Charging options include both 3.3 kW and 7.2 kW AC chargers, which can fully recharge the battery in 19.1 hours and 8.8 hours, respectively.

For faster top-ups, the V23 also supports 85 kW DC fast charging, enabling a charge from 30% to 100% in just 36 minutes. Additionally, it offers 3.3kW Vehicle-2-Load functionality, allowing it to power external appliances.

Internationally, there is a 155kW Dual-Motor AWD option that comes with an 81.8kWh NMC battery. However, that version will not be available for the Nepali market. The absence of AWD limits its ability to handle extreme off-road conditions.

Even so, the RWD variant remains capable, backed by a 42-degree approach angle, 40-degree departure angle, and 600 mm wading depth. While it lacks low-range gearing or locking differentials, it does feature multiple off-road drive modes, making it versatile enough for weekend adventures.

Additional Details

The McPherson independent and Multi-link independent handle suspension duties.

The dimensions are 4220 mm in length, 1915 mm in width, and 1845 mm in height. Moreover, the wheelbase stands at 2735 mm.

Jaecoo V23 gets a 210mm ground clearance. And, the kerb weight is 1785 kg.

It is equipped with 344 liters of boot space, which can be extended to 744 liters of cargo space with rear seats folded. While there is no front trunk, it comes with 90 liters of underfloor trunk and more than 20 flexible storage space.

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iCaur V23 Features Highlight

• Exterior
  • Boxy and Muscular Styling
  • Circular LED Headlamp with Integrated DRLs
  • 19-inch Alloy Wheels, 210mm Ground Clearance
  • Flushed Door Handles
• Interior
  • 15.4-inch 2.5K Touch Infotainment with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity
  • Soft-Touch Materials
• Safety
  • i-SWIFT Platform Architecture
  • Six Airbags
  • ABS + EBD + i-ESC
  • Surround-view Camera
  • L2 Support with 2 mm-Wave Radars and 12 Ultrasonic Radars
  • 42°  Approach Angle and 40° Departure Angle

iCaur V23 Price in Nepal and Availability

The iCaur V23 will be priced under Rs. 47 lakh in Nepal. Chery iCaur Nepal has confirmed that the model coming here will feature a 100 kW RWD motor paired with a 59.93 kWh LFP battery.

This places the iCaur V23 in an interesting spot against its rivals, where the motor outputs hover around 100 kW, but the battery sizes differ significantly. The BYD Atto 3 offers a smaller 51.13 kWh pack at Rs. 43.88 lakh. The Deepal S07 steps up with a 56.12 kWh battery but is priced higher, between Rs. 49.99 lakh and Rs. 56.99 lakh. Meanwhile, the Nammi Vigo provides a 51.87 kWh battery at Rs. 41.99 lakh.

In contrast, the V23 arrives with a larger 59.93 kWh battery, giving it an edge on paper. Combined with its retro-modern boxy styling, it has the potential to stand out in a crowded segment. In the end, pricing will play the biggest role, and if iCaur gets it right, the V23 could set a new benchmark in this segment. Until then, we will continue to update this coverage as more details are confirmed.

Rivals

The iCaur V23 may not have a direct rival in Nepal, but its closest match is the Jaecoo J6. Both are pitched as lifestyle EV SUVs with a touch of off-road flair. On paper, the J6 wins the numbers game, packing a 35 kW stronger motor and a 5.76 kWh bigger battery. It’s also longer, though the V23 bites back with more width, extra height, and a 20mm longer wheelbase.

Where the V23 really swings momentum is price. Even at an expected Rs. 47 lakh, it undercuts the J6 by a massive Rs. 23 lakh. For buyers chasing the same adventurous image without overspending, that gap is hard to ignore. And iCaur knows what it’s doing, the V23 isn’t gunning for hardcore icons like the Suzuki Jimny. It’s built as a second city-friendly electric SUV that can still play rough on the weekends.

That said, it’s a bit disappointing that iCaur didn’t at least offer an AWD option. That choice could have given the V23 a stronger claim against the Jimny and pushed it deeper into the off-road space. Still, future variants might address that gap, but for now, RWD is all we get.

In conclusion, the V23 carves out a different kind of proposition. It presents itself as a stylish, value-driven urban EV while offering a taste of ruggedness. Now, the only question left is whether Nepali buyers are ready to buy into this “second lifestyle EV” idea when the V23 finally rolls in.

What do you think about the iCaur V23? Do you think it can redefine the segment? Let us know in the comments below.